Most long-time gun owners will probably tell you the first thing you should buy is a weapon sling. You would be right to listen to them. Sure, optics, fore-grips, triggers, and stocks are what everyone is after to build an efficient setup. But what good are all of these components if you’re struggling to carry the load?

The average AR-15 weighs six to seven pounds. Add all those cool pipe hitter gadgets, and now you’ve got a good bit of weight to carry around. The purpose of the sling is not to just make carrying more comfortable but to free up your hands as well. The sling can also allow for stabilization while shooting.

The next question that usually arises is one point vs. two point slings. There are a couple of other types, but these are the two you’ll come across the most, and what we’ll focus on here.

Single Point Sling

The easiest way to imagine a single point is to think about a lasso. The hoop goes around you, and the handle portion attaches to your stock, or a mount around the buffer tube. The proper way to use a single point is to put the head and dominant arm through the loop. Single points find their strength in CQB (close quarters) situations. Since there is only a single point of attachment to your weapon, transitioning shoulders is a breeze. Not to mention you basically have a drop holster for your rifle.

Of course, there are some downfalls. If you have to holster your primary and chase down something, you’re going to soon find that primary crashing into either the back of your legs or your knees. It will surely trip you up and leave your knees battered and bruised. Additionally, with it being a single point, there is no way to leverage the sling to combat recoil.

Ultimately, the benefit of single points is the quickdraw sling, which allows freedom of movement when needed. However, singles find their weakness in that freedom of movement as well, as they lack a forward attachment point that could be utilized for stability while shooting.

Two-Point Sling

Two-points are considered the original sling. It was originally designed to be carried on one’s back. But today, they are front-carried, with the barrel facing towards the ground and the stock being at the dominant shoulder. This design allows for almost as quick of a draw as the single point. However, what makes it a little slower is that the entire sling is the pivot point. This means that if you are loaded down with gear, it is possible that when you go to shoulder your weapon, it could get caught up.

A major advantage of the two-point is the ability to wrap the sling around the support arm to increase accuracy when engaging distant targets. Unlike with a single point, your legs and knees are less likely to get banged up because the gun doesn’t dangle.

So how about shoulder changes? In short, you need to practice, practice, practice. There are only two ways to transition with a two-point: unsling your weapon, or loosen it up so much that your sling basically falls off. Most slings today are quick-detach, and handguards play to that by allowing a little more wiggle room. But that still does not compare to the single point.

So with less freedom of movement, difficult shoulder transitioning, and a more complicated operation, two-point slings still offer an advantage by allowing easy weapon access, the ability to stabilize the shooting arm, and control of your weapon when it is not in use.

As you can see, each type of firearm sling has its place. Single-point users will be those who find themselves predominantly kicking in doors, while two pointers will be those outside on a hill or tall building watching the single pointer’s back.

Disclaimer: The content in this article is the opinion of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of US Patriot Tactical.

Angelo grew up in California before enlisting in the United States Army in the summer of 2013. After an unfortunate injury, he left the Army in December of 2014. He now spends his time running two growing businesses and is in the process of starting another. His hobbies include sports, anything automotive and firearms.

Author Description

Angelo Pisa

Angelo grew up in California before enlisting in the United States Army in the summer of 2013. After an unfortunate injury, he left the Army in December of 2014. He now spends his time running two growing businesses and is in the process of starting another. His hobbies include sports, anything automotive and firearms.